Former Nottingham Forest boss Steve McClaren has reportedly contacted Sunderland about the managerial vacancy at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland are looking for a new boss following the sacking of Jack Ross after Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Lincoln City.
The Imps loss proved to be the final straw for owner Stewart Donald, who appointed Ross when he took over the Black Cats in May last year.
Ross was tasked with returning the club to the Championship following their relegation to League One in 2017-18, but the Scotsman saw his side fail in the third tier play-off final in May and a poor start has seen them draw four and lose two of their opening 11 matches.
They sit in sixth place, eight points off Ipswich Town at the top of the League.
As Donald and Sunderland search for a replacement for Ross, former Forest player and assistant manager Roy Keane has emerged as a potential candidate.
So too, has McClaren, according to the Northern Echo, with the ex-Wolfsburg manager reportedly contacting Sunderland chiefs.
McClaren is out of work following his departure from Queens Park Rangers in April when he was sacked by the Championship side.
He spent just ten games in the dugout at Forest having joined in June 2011, winning just eight points from a possible 30.
The former England manager went on to manage rivals Derby County twice.
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